USDA Funding and Technical Assistance Programs for Small Wood Products Businesses By Larry Swan, U.S. Forest Service and John Jebian, USDA Rural Development
Background Forest Products Utilization and Mktg Specialist, “stump” to “markets” Forest Products Utilization and Mktg Specialist, “stump” to “markets” Focus on forest mgt. and mfg. residues, and use of lower value wood products Focus on forest mgt. and mfg. residues, and use of lower value wood products Primarily OR and CA (lately); Primarily OR and CA (lately); OR, Business Development Dept. OR, Business Development Dept. CA, USFS; CA, USFS; International and Fire Assignments International and Fire Assignments
Presentation Outline Purpose: Brief overview of agency grant & loan programs designed for small businesses. Purpose: Brief overview of agency grant & loan programs designed for small businesses. How to figure out what you might want to do? How to figure out what you might want to do? How to find an appropriate program and who to talk to? How to find an appropriate program and who to talk to? Examples of USFS grant programs. Examples of USFS grant programs. Available for individual consults afterwards. Available for individual consults afterwards.
Key Points About Government Grant Programs Public purpose. Public purpose. Often administered by local offices and organizations. Often administered by local offices and organizations. Loans are preferred. Loans are preferred. Seldom for operating capital. Seldom for operating capital. Nothing is “free”. Nothing is “free”.
Examples of Who to Contact? Local economic development districts and departments Local economic development districts and departments Resource Conservation & Development Districts Resource Conservation & Development Districts Non-profits Non-profits State econ. development dept. and agencies State econ. development dept. and agencies Federal agencies Federal agencies
Key Questions For Company What specifically do I want to do to improve economic viability of company? What specifically do I want to do to improve economic viability of company? What is purpose and evaluation criteria of grant or loan program? What is purpose and evaluation criteria of grant or loan program?
How to Find Out About Relevant Programs? Trade association members Trade association members Media announcements Media announcements Speak to appropriate offices, organizations and agencies Speak to appropriate offices, organizations and agencies Attend local economic development conferences Attend local economic development conferences
USDA Forest Service Grant Programs Woody Biomass Utilization Grants (WBUG) Woody Biomass Utilization Grants (WBUG) Congressional earmarks Congressional earmarks Sometimes partner or try to leverage other existing grant programs. Sometimes partner or try to leverage other existing grant programs.
Specific Example – WBUG Program Purpose? Purpose? Grant size and # of applicants? Grant size and # of applicants? How many winners and how much? How many winners and how much? Successful examples? Successful examples? Evaluation criteria? Evaluation criteria? Timing and effort? Timing and effort?
Congressional Earmarks Pacific NW and NSO Pacific NW and NSO Midwest and EAB Midwest and EAB S. CA and drought/MPB/fires S. CA and drought/MPB/fires Colorado and MPB Colorado and MPB
Hot Button Grant Topics Job creation and retention Job creation and retention Renewable energy Renewable energy Sustainability Sustainability
Contact Information Larry Swan Larry Swan USDA Forest Service Cell Cell541/